LONDON, Jan. 27 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Nightingale Court era over as four temporary courtsbecomepermanent fixtures * Next step in wider Government plans to end interminable delay for victims * Move comes as new landmark London court readies for opening

Thousands of victims will be spared from interminable delays waiting to see justice done thanks to a significant expansion to the court's estate.

Former court buildings in Fleetwood, Telford,Chichesterand Cirencester - used as Nightingale Courts since the Covid-19 pandemic - will now become permanent fixtures, ending their temporary status.

This move secures 11 additional courtrooms across the country where capacity is most needed, covering a mixture of criminal, familyandcivil cases - tackling the caseloadand delivering swifter justice for victims.

Today's news comes as the Courts Minister, Sarah Sackman, visited the site of the new London Law Courts -a state-of-the-artbuilding which, when open next year, will act as the benchmark for delivering modern,transparentand speedy justice.

The building will provide 18 newstate-of-the-artcourtrooms which can hear Crown,magistrateand civil cases in the heart of London.

As part of the core estate, these former Nightingale Courts will now qualify for future modernisation and investment. This will allow HMCTS to put money into improving their infrastructure and ensure buildings are suitable for the latest technology - speeding up justice and providing a better experience for all court users.

Minister for Courts Sarah Sackman KC MP said:

This marks a new chapter for these courts.We'reending the Nightingaleeraand making a lasting investment in justice. Thepermanent courtrooms, as part of our Plan for Change,will help deliver faster justice and give much-needed clarity to victims and the staff who serve them.

Investment matters, but it isn't enough on its own. We must deliver bold reforms to put thebrokensystem we inherited-on the brink of collapse - back on sustainable ground.

The move marks the end of the Nightingale courts initiative, which at its peak in July 2021 saw 60 temporary courtroomsoperatingin hotels, conferencecentresand office buildings to keep justice moving during the pandemic.

This year alone, the Government is investing £148.5 million to repair and upgrade courts across England and Wales - tackling longstanding maintenance issues, reducing delays caused by ageing infrastructure, and improving conditions for those who rely on them.

Alongside investment in the estate, Ministers have also increased funding for Crown Courts to sit a record 111,250 days thisfinancial year. More sitting days means more hearings and faster justice.

The Deputy Prime Minister has also announced a bold package of reforms to bring down the Crown Courtcaseloadwhich will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.